“Tell her?” That thought sent a nauseous panic through his system. He’d never been good with words. His actions should speak for themselves. Didn’t he rescue her from the slave station? Didn’t he get the other women out because she asked him to? That should tell her how he felt about her.
Hell, he didn’t even know how he felt about her.
“But if she’s not that special to you,” Micah went on, “maybe I’ll go talk to her.”
Jarrod lunged out of his chair and loomed over his best friend and partner. Micah just laughed.
“Yeah, she’s got a body worth enjoying,” Micah went on, his voice smooth and annoying. “So tight and hot. And with all that slave jewelry, she’ll please a Master even more.”
Jarrod pictured his hands strangling the jerk until he stopped smiling. “I can fly this ship too, you know. I could kill you now.”
Micah sighed. “Talk to her. Tell her how you feel. Tell her she’s not useless.”
Damn, had he said that too?
“I know there’s something special between the two of you,” Micah went on. “I felt it, even when we were both enjoying her.”
“You know, you’re never touching her again.”
“I know.” Micah propped his feet up on the seat Jarrod had just vacated. “Go talk to her.”
* * * * *
After the initial burst of speed when the ship left Norian airspace, the ride smoothed out. Hanna grew restless and began checking out the doors leading from the lounge area. The large room seemed to be the hub of the ship, furnished with chairs and retractable tables.
Hanna found a closet with a shelf stacked with black shirts. She slipped one over her head. They were huge and the hem fell past her knees. She passed one out to each of the women and they were happy to finally cover their nakedness. Hanna had become so used to it, that even though the fabric was soft, it felt restricting.
The soft blue on the walls was soothing and the women seemed to relax after their ordeal, most of them curling up and falling asleep. Hanna couldn’t relax that much. She explored a little further, trying to keep her mind off Jarrod and the hurt and the anger and the need she felt.
Princess Serena joined her in a long hallway. “Hanna. You should rest. You look exhausted.”
Hanna shook her head. “I’m fine. I was looking for a kitchen. The women will be hungry.”
Serena placed her hand on Hanna’s shoulder. “It’s not for you to serve us. Sit.”
“But I’ve always served you, Princess. Haven’t I?”
“I suppose you have. But I never thought of it that way. You were my best friend.”
“You were mine.”
“I’m so sorry for all you went through in my stead.” The princess ran a finger over the cuff circling Hanna’s wrist. “We’ll have these removed when we get back to Vanya.”
Hanna shook her head. “They can’t be removed. Ever.” And strangely, she was glad for that. Or would be if she had the right Master to utilize them. A Master she would be proud to serve. Her heart broke a little more.
“Tell me about the dark one,” the princess said. “He looks dangerous.”
Dangerous to her heart. “Jarrod. I suppose he could be dangerous. But I think he is brave and strong. He risked everything to rescue us.”
“There’s something in your voice when you speak of him. He is special to you?”
Hanna paused. He had been special to her. He’d been her Master, the one who showed her what her body craved, who taught her how to please and receive pleasure in return. But she obviously wasn’t special to him. And she refused to ache over someone who didn’t want her. “No.”
“Hmm.” Serena led Hanna back into the lounge, brought her over to a short sofa and they both sat down. “What about the blond giant? He is very handsome.”
“Micah. Yes, he is handsome. And nice. He and Jarrod are friends. Partners. He is just as strong and brave as Jarrod.”
“But he doesn’t hold a special place in your heart.” It wasn’t a question.
“Of course, he does,” Hanna was quick to say. “Micah always will for what he risked to rescue us.”
Serena placed a hand over Hanna’s. “But not like Jarrod?”
She couldn’t lie to her princess. “No. Not like Jarrod.”
Serena grinned. “Good. Because I think I’d like to get to know this Micah a little better.”
“Really?” Had the princess also been yearning for the touch of a man, as Hanna had been just a short time ago? Hanna wondered if she should warn the princess about Micah’s dominating side, but decided Serena should learn that for herself. Who knows, maybe Serena would learn to appreciate it as Hanna had.
Hanna closed her eyes, suddenly tired. She remembered the way Jarrod’s touch had made her body come alive. How beautiful and strong he made her feel. Would she feel that with any other man? Would she find another Master who could challenge her? Who could take her to that place where pain and pleasure combined to create ecstasy? Who she could please and receive pleasure in return?
Even with her eyes closed, Hanna could sense the moment Jarrod entered the lounge. The very air in the room changed, became thicker and full of energy. She found it hard to breathe. She opened her eyes.
How did he get more handsome, harder, larger every time she saw him? His gaze was focused on hers, his expression as blank as always. No, not always. Not when she was his slave. Hanna fought the sudden urge to drop to her knees before him.
He stepped into the room. Serena stood and held out her hand. “Jarrod. I’d like to formally thank you for rescuing me and my women. My father will reward you richly.”
“We don’t want a reward, Princess. I’m glad you are all safe.” He nodded at Serena, then shifted his glance to Hanna. She hadn’t moved. She couldn’t without betraying her need. His dark eyes burned into her. If not for his words earlier, she’d think he wanted her. Cared for her. Finally, he released her gaze and looked over at the women sleeping in the chairs nearby. “There are bedrooms down that hall. You are welcome to any of them.”
“Thank you,” Serena said. She gathered the women and herded them down the hall and out of sight.
Hanna still hadn’t moved. Hadn’t taken her eyes off the man she would always think of as her Master.
“May I speak with you? Hanna?”
Stupid tears sprang to her eyes when he spoke her name for the first time. After all they’d done together over the past few days, why would that simple thing tug at her heart? She shrugged and looked away before he could see the glittering on her lashes.
He cleared his throat and sat down beside her. He was close enough that she could feel the heat of his body but he didn’t touch her. She resisted the urge to lean into him.
“Tell me how you came to be mistaken for the princess.”
Hanna swung her gaze back around to Jarrod. “It was my duty.”
“So you were some sort of royal decoy?
Why did he sound so angry? “Exactly.”
“You could have said something before things went too far.” He traced his finger along the cuff on her wrist. “You didn’t have to go through this.”
“Of course I did. Besides, would I have been any better off being one of the many sold at auction?”
He dropped his hand into his lap. “Probably not. Still your bravery amazes me. Most would not have gone through what you did for someone else.”
His praise warmed her. Softened her heart, even when she wanted to keep it hardened. They sat side by side in silence for a moment, then Jarrod breathed a deep sigh.
“Where I’m going is considered a new frontier. There aren’t a lot of settlers there yet. It’s liable to be lonely. But we’re hoping to change that. We’re hoping to make Ceylon 7 a good place to stop off for supplies. Perhaps a good place to settle down as the established planets get too crowded.”
Why did her dominant Master look so unsure, so nervous? It sounded as if he had his new life all planned out.
“What does it matter what I’m used to?”
“I just wanted you to have all the facts.”
“Why?”
“I want you to come with us.”
Oh, how she’d wanted him to say that earlier. But now she didn’t trust his words. “Us? You mean you and Micah?”
“Well…yes.”
“Why? So I can be your personal sex slave? So you and Micah can continue to enjoy my body together? Maybe you’ll want to share me with all the other lonely men there too?”
“No!” Jarrod shot to his feet. “Why would you think that?”
Hanna grabbed her collar with both hands. The cuffs danced on her wrists. “Because I’m a sex slave. My body is for men to enjoy. I have no other use, right? Why else would you want me?”
“I knew I’d say this wrong,” Jarrod muttered. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to her feet. “Because I want you with me, slave. Yes, I hope to enjoy your body often. But I will not be sharing it with anyone else. Not even Micah.”
Her heart ached as the pieces began to knit back together. Did she dare to hope? “You want me to come with you? To the trading post?” Did he finally realize she could help him, work beside him? That she could be useful for other things beside sex? “What about all the things you said before?”
“I was trying to protect you. I wanted to get you off Noria fast. We didn’t have time to argue.”
She could understand that, but it all came down to one thing. “But you didn’t want me to come with you when I asked.”
He stroked her hair so gently she almost thought she was imagining it. “I didn’t think I deserved you. Hell, I still don’t.”
She pulled away and stepped back so she could look him in the eye. “How can you say that? You risked your life to save me.” She reached for his hand and led him back over to the sofa. “I haven’t even thanked you properly yet.” She pushed him down on to the seat cushion and climbed up onto his lap. When she straddled his hips, she felt his cock grow beneath her. She cupped his face with her hands. “Thank you,” she whispered and pressed her lips to his.
She wasn’t an expert at kissing. This was her first kiss. She hoped her inexperience wouldn’t be obvious as she slid her closed lips across his. The friction tickled and she pressed her lips harder against his.
Jarrod moaned and wrapped his arms around her, gathering her closer. Then he ran his hot tongue across her lips. Hanna had never felt anything like it. Well, not since he’d done that between her legs. Her flesh there throbbed with the memory. He probed her lips with his tongue and she parted them hesitantly. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, filling her with his dark, dangerous taste.
Acting on instinct, she began to suck on his tongue, pulling it farther into her mouth, drinking him in. He moaned and slid his hand under her shirt, running his fingers lightly across her bare back. She shifted on his lap to give him better access, rubbing herself against his hard cock. He ran his hands in front of her and cupped her breasts, stroking them softly, squeezing them lightly. After a few moments of gentle touches, she pressed them harder into his hands, craving more pressure. He brushed his thumbs over the tips of her nipples, barely touching them. The tickles he brought about were mere teases. She whimpered in frustration.
Then he grabbed onto her nipple rings and twisted roughly.
She sucked harder on his tongue to muffle her cries. Finally. The pleasure that the pain brought shot right between her legs. The throbbing there grew even stronger.
He twisted again, even harder, and she released his tongue and groaned.
“Do you like that, slave?”
She decided to risk some words instead of just nodding. “Yes, Master. More please.”
But he pushed her off his lap. She probably should have kept her mouth closed. He stood up and set her on her feet in front of him. Her shirt was bunched up above her breasts and still hung down behind her.
“Hands behind your back.” He waited until she complied, then hooked a finger through one of the nipple rings and tugged. “This way.”
He led her down the hallway and turned the corner where the hall dead-ended. He opened the door there and pulled her into the dark room. She heard the door slam shut. Then Jarrod whirled her around and he roughly crushed his lips to hers so hard she couldn’t breathe. She threw her arms around him and pulled him tighter against her. Finally he released her abruptly. She stumbled backward and gasped for breath.
“I tried to be gentle,” he said, his voice strained, “but you bring out the beast in me.”
“I’m glad,” Hanna said because the words wouldn’t stay silent. She pulled the shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor. “I need you to be the Master.”
He turned on the overheads. Hanna saw they were in a small gray room. A bunk was recessed into one of the walls. A chair and desk sat in another corner. When she turned her attention back to Jarrod, she saw he was staring at her. His eyes were shadowed, his hands curled into fists at his side.
She wanted to go to him, to run her hands over his body, to taste him once more. But she thought better of it. She drew her arms behind her back, grasping her wrist with her other hand. Shoulders back, legs slightly apart, she waited for her Master’s command.
“Good slave,” he said. “No more speaking unless I command it.” He circled her, stroking her collar and cuffs and nipple rings, his rough fingers touching her skin in the process, teasing her again. “I should thank the Norians for decorating my slave.” He laid his hand over the collar at her throat. “This jewelry will come in very handy.”
She swallowed. The pressure on her throat reminded Hanna of the first time she saw Jarrod. He’d frightened her then. Now he aroused her. She wanted to ask him what he had in mind, but she knew better than to speak now.
He continued to circle her, reaching out now and then to run a finger sensuously down her back or sharply smack her bottom or wickedly flick her nipple. Hanna struggled to stand still, to not jerk or wince from his surprise touches. Suddenly he grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her head back, but then his lips were gentle as he nibbled slowly down her throat and back up again. She sighed. He murmured her name and then nipped her ear.
“Oh your knees, slave,” he growled, releasing her hair and nudging her down. “Hands behind your back. Spread your knees wider.”
Hanna did everything as he demanded, making sure the grin that threatened to pop out didn’t make it to her lips. She loved to watch him like this. So strong and decisive. Her body tingled in anticipation.
“Don’t move.”
He turned around and left the room. Hanna watched the door close behind him. Where was he going? How long would he be gone? The longer she waited for him, watching that closed door, the more Hanna knew that she couldn’t bear to see him walk out of her life forever. She understood why he’d wanted to protect her today. She didn’t understand why he didn’t think he deserved her as his slave. She was going to have to prove to him that he did.
That meant obeying him. Giving him pleasure. Agreeing to go with him to Ceylon 7. Of course, she would go with him. There had never been any doubt. Why hadn’t she told him that right away?
And now she couldn’t speak unless commanded. So she’d have to show him. And she would, if he ever got back here.
Finally, he strode back into the room. He was carrying a handful of stretchy cords with hooks attached to each ends, all different lengths.
“This is a cargo ship,” Jarrod said with a wicked grin. “We have tons of these on board.” He circled her, studied her, as if he was getting ideas. Her heart pounded wildly. She forced herself to remain still. “We’re going to have some fun.”
He hooked the ends of one cord through each of her nipple rings. Hanna glanced down. It hung like a colorful chain between her nipples, but was much lighter than the heavy chain she wore earlier. This wasn’t bad.
Jarrod caught her chin in his hand. “Look straight ahead.” He tugged on the cord, playing with it, watching her breasts bounce up and down with a flick of his wrist. Then he lifted the cord, pulling up on the nipple rings. “Open your mouth.” She did as he commanded and he shoved the cord through her teeth like a bit. “Don’t let go.” She bit down on the cord. There was a definite tug on her nipples now, but still not bad.
He walked behind her then and wished she could turn her head to follow him with her gaze. She felt him hook the end of one of the cords to the ring in the back of her collar. He grabbed the cuffs around her wrists and pulled on the cord to hook the other end into the cuff rings. The cord was so short, it yanked her head back.
She cried out as she felt as if her nipples were being torn off. She bit down so hard on the cord, she was afraid she’d bite right through it. Or maybe she hoped she would. Yet as the pain ripped through her, a blast of pure pleasure shot right between her legs.
The collar was tight against her throat now too. She could barely swallow. If she lifted her arms up a little, it relieved the pressure on her throat but it made her shoulders ache and did nothing for her nipples. Hanna couldn’t do anything but look up at the ceiling, bear the pain and wonder what he was going to do next.
“On your feet, slave.”
She moaned. He couldn’t mean it. She didn’t dare move for fear of strangling herself or hurting her nipples further. How could she possibly stand up from this position? A sharp sting landed across her bottom. He’d spanked her with one of the cords. And then he did it again.
“I said on your feet.”
Tears streamed from her eyes as she struggled to stand. Every movement of her head sent new pain shooting from her nipples and new pressure bearing down on her throat. Her long hair was caught up in the cord and that tugged painfully as well. Somehow she made it to her feet, her head yanked back, arms pulled up, nipples stretched tight.
“Good slave.” His warm words of praise washed over her. The pleasure that swept through her was indescribable. She knew she’d do anything for her Master.
He caressed her breasts then, smoothing the sensitive undersides with his fingers. The pain in her nipples had settled down to a dull throb. When he brushed his fingers over their tips, she groaned around the wet cord in her mouth. Moisture trickled down her inner thigh. How could so much hurt feel so good?
Chains of Desire Page 10